High Stakes


Fiction - Western
292 Pages
Reviewed on 08/01/2015
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

A Canadian writer, Chad Strong grew up horseback riding and hiking in the forested hills of the countryside surrounding Victoria, BC.

He enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction of all sorts, from westerns to fantasies, from adventures to history. His writing has followed suit across multiple genres and his works have appeared in publications including Bards & Sages Quarterly, Mysterical-E, Rawhide’n Roses - a Western Anthology, and Frontier Tales.

His first novel, High Stakes, is a western historical romance set in Victoria, BC, and made the finals for two distinct awards: Best First Western Novel of 2012 in the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Awards, and in the American Historical category of the RONE Awards.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

High Stakes is a western by Chad Strong. Victoria is a bustling town filled with gambling saloons, prostitution, and corruption. Curt Prescott enjoys this easy lifestyle, using the winnings acquired from his skilful poker playing to support his girlfriend Del and himself. However, the new pastor, Bud Andrews, and his dictatorial wife embark on crusades to cleanse the town of its immoral behaviour, much to the displeasure of Curt and other residents who are threatened with losing their source of revenue. Curt believes that if he embarrasses the Andrews by seducing their daughter, Mary, they will relocate. He acts on his idea, aware of the distrustful eyes of Mrs. Andrews, but oblivious to the plan Pastor Bud has for him. While Curt secretly woos Mary who is attracted to him, Fat Johnny and his henchman believe Curt cannot save their livelihoods. They take matters into their own hands by committing murder and framing him.

Chad Strong has written a charming western story. High Stakes contains a mild spiritual based theme, humour, and good, old-fashioned gun slinging action. The characters are entertaining, and the dialogue is colourful and witty, or sometimes pensive. It was interesting how Curt dealt with his conflicting moods when he becomes acquainted with the Andrews, and the pressures of dealing with the locals, determined to save their sinful city. Chad Strong did not give hints leading to the emotional conclusion, hence its suspense. High Stakes is original, written with spiritual undertones and romance that made it a pleasant read.

Jill MacKenzie

"This is a well-thought-out, layered historical, with evocative and vivid descriptions of life in the thriving, yet still lawless, nineteenth-century Canadian town. High Stakes is a historical that can be enjoyed by both male and female readers ... a thoroughly enjoyable story and an incredibly accomplished first novel."― Jill MacKenzie, InD'Tale Magazine

Kathleen Rice Adams

"The author does a number of things well in his debut novel ... an excellent job of capturing a time (1877), place, and society largely overlooked in the western genre ... The author also blends elements from several subgenres extremely well. The novel meets all the qualifications to bear the label "western historical romance" quite well ... (Men, by the way, can read this one without endangering their man cards. Did I mention the gunfights, knife fights, and fistfights?) ... High Stakes is a quick read. And it's fun. The ending, balanced on a thin line between expectation and surprise, shines."― Kathleen Rice Adams, Texan, voracious reader, professional journalist

Norman K. Archer

" ... a great writing style and an excellent plot ... For readers captivated by this turbulent period and allured by a story that tugs at the heartstrings, High Stakes is a must-read."―Norman K. Archer, Victoria, BC Historian

Barb Klein

“High Stakes” by Chad Strong was a really great book. There are so many twists and turns in this book that you will definitely keep turning pages as quickly as you can to find out what happens." ―Barb Klein, Night Owl Reviews / I’m Hooked On Books

Marie

I found this book to be very detailed. The characters were well developed & left you with a true feeling for the difficult situations that occurred. Curt's life was developed in enough detail so you feel his pain & indecision without being overdone. The settings are interlaced throughout the novel giving details of this very interesting place back in time. A good easy read for a rainy day. -- Marie

MishkaGirl

This was a great book considering it was your first.
I loved the interaction between Curt, Del and Mary. The hidden agendas kept the reader guessing.
You described the characters and the scenery beautifully.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
--MishkaGirl

Maureen Kerr

I found this story very interesting and enjoyed the book immensely. Towards the end I couldn't put it down and I stayed up all night to see how it would turn out! Loved the historical setting in old Victoria, BC.

-- Maureen Kerr, Surrey, BC

Amazon Customer

Very well written by a talented local author.
An excellent Canadian Wild West adventure!

-- Amazon Customer, Verified Purchase

Valerie

Excellent writer ! Intriguing story !

-- Amazon Customer Valerie